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Sammy: We thought
we could get the runs

By
Roger Seepersad

Story Created:
Apr 20, 2012 at 12:40 AM ECT

Story Updated:
Apr 20, 2012 at 12:40 AM ECT

Set 215 to win off 61 overs, the West Indies were confident of levelling the series on the final day of the second Test at Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain and, if not for the rain, captain Darren Sammy believes they could have done exactly that.

"Yes, we were looking to chase down the runs. The guys were positive in the dressing room. Once 60 overs were bowled and once we bat properly we thought that we could get the runs," the Windies skipper said after rain ruined the post-lunch session yesterday.

And Sammy was not even surprised at the Australians' sporting declaration, which he thought was hastened by the way the Windies' bowlers kept the pressure on in the morning session.

"After Barbados, nothing is going to surprise me what they do. They looked at the wicket and thought 220 would be a good score to defend, but the way we bowled before lunch, we did not let them off the hook. I think Kemar (Roach), myself kept the screws on them and they could not score as quickly as they wanted," said Sammy.

He also believes the home team ended the match positively and that they can level the series with a win in the final match in Dominica, bowling off on Monday.

"I think from the start of the one-day series, people wrote us off, but we have come up and displayed that never-say-die attitude throughout the series and we have one Test match to go and we still think we can level the series in Dominica," he added.

"I think we have done some good stuff throughout the series, going back to Barbados with the way we batted and the way our bowlers continue to bowl. These Test matches, it is that one hour that we tend to lose our way. Once we can rectify that and be more focused I think we can match the Australians in all departments," Sammy added.

"The guys believe more that they are not only here to compete but they can win matches against top opposition and we're going out there and play every game with that kind of mentality. Coach (Ottis) Gibson is a tough coach and regards professionalism very highly and that is what we are trying to do, be a professional unit that can go out there and execute properly," he said.

Australia skipper Michael Clarke says his team are also going to continue playing a positive brand of cricket when they get to Dominica and is expecting another good fight from the home team in the final match of the series.

"My goal has not changed. We are looking to win every Test match we play. Rain played a big part throughout this match but our goal remains the same going into the last Test. We go to Dominica and will do everything we can to try to win that Test match. It is going to be another hard-fought Test match."

Speaking about his declaration, Clarke said: "We tried to play a good, positive brand of cricket to try to take the game forward and in the back of my mind I had 200 as a target and 60 to 70 overs to bowl at the West Indies and try and win the Test.

"Credit to the boys because they put the team first, they tried to take the game forward and help the team's cause and credit to them for that," he added.